{"id":287,"date":"2026-05-14T11:34:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T11:34:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/raleighmovingnews.com\/?p=287"},"modified":"2026-05-14T11:34:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T11:34:21","slug":"3-charged-after-pepper-spray-used-amid-fights-in-downtown-winston-salem-police-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/raleighmovingnews.com\/?p=287","title":{"rendered":"3 charged after pepper spray used amid fights in downtown Winston-Salem, police say"},"content":{"rendered":"
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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) \u2014Three people are facing charges after police used pepper spray to break up a large crowd and several fights in downtown Winston-Salem earlier this month, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.<\/p>

Read more \u2018Have not seen mass loss like this\u2019: NC Triad residents see decrease in SNAP benefits<\/a><\/p>\n

Background<\/h2>\n

At around 11:53 p.m. on May 5, officers were flagged down by security staff and patrons of The Wrong Number on 408 W. Fourth St. due to an active fight inside the business.<\/p>\n

Police say they arrived at the scene and found several \u201cphysical fights\u201d taking place inside the bar. Officers stepped in and tried to disperse the involved parties.<\/p>\n

Several minutes later, investigators say a \u201cseveral hundred\u201d person crowd formed from people leaving The Wrong Number and other bars in the area. That crowd overflowed onto West Fourth Street as it grew, and several other fights broke out.<\/p>\n

Police say that due to the escalating fights and concern for public safety, officers used pepper spray to disperse the crowd.<\/p>\n

Three people are being charged.<\/p>\n

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\"Azaevion<\/figure>\n
Azaevion Ian Neal (Winston-Salem Police Department)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n

21-year-old Azaevion Ian Neal is being charged with the following:<\/p>\n